Another polio case reported in Balochistan

QUETTA: The polio cases are on rise in Pakistan as another case was reported in Zhob district of Balochistan province, ARY News reported.

As per details, the case was confirmed in a minor girl and the National Polio Testing Laboratory has also verified after determining that the new case is caused by the wild poliovirus type 1.

According to NIH, this year, Balochistan has reported the highest number of polio cases, with 16 confirmed incidents, whereas the total number of cases across Pakistan has reached 28.

Earlier, two more poliovirus cases were reported from Sindh. The cases were confirmed in Karachi East and Sujawal districts, according to an official of the regional reference laboratory for polio eradication at the National Institute of Health, Islamabad.

“This marks the first case reported this year in both districts,” he said.

The experts suggest that the emergence of this new case underscores the ongoing challenge Pakistan faces in eradicating polio which is one of the few countries left on the face of the earth that have failed to eradicate this disease.

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Despite extensive vaccination campaigns and efforts to raise awareness by the government and international agencies working on health issues, the virus continues to affect children, particularly in regions with limited access to healthcare and vaccination services.

Health officials associated with the federal government as well as provincial governments are urging parents to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine, which is crucial in preventing the spread of this debilitating disease. 

The government and health organizations are working tirelessly to reach every child, especially in remote and underserved areas, to administer the vaccine and provide necessary healthcare services.